This is a call for all “Free Minds”
To enter the think tank
Make a deposit into the brain bank
And withdraw a little thought change
Self-empowerment
Builds structure, like support beams
Which keeps the self-esteem from crumblin’
The experience is humblin’
When you merge courage with comfort
And go in search of something
But, in order to be a “Free Mind”
You gotta make the best of the free time
It’s not just leisure
That’s how you facilitate to read between lines
And see yourself a little deeper.
Stretch a little farther; to become a dream-reacher
That’s a free mind – free thinker
Which makes the climb of the mental hills easier
The essentials of developmental
The escape of the dozed mind that had you
Trapped in a blind spot
Remorse the blindfold and life becomes a
Sight for blind eyes
With crystal clear facts you can now rationalize
Education and elevation, no longer passing you by
This is the evolution of the free minds
Where capabilities and limitations find patience
Where purpose and worth don’t feel so vacant
Finally found yourself and alleviated the imitations
Cause when you free mind; you free yourself on the inside
You tap into potentials and see yourself materialize
Your thoughts are reused and you begin to
Second guess and think twice
So do away with mistakes that were once
plentifully made. So I once again say, “This is a call for
free minds. Who’s ready to set their minds free?”

I am battling for my life
I’ve got one chance to get it right
If I get it wrong, I’ll lose my life
My kids, my freedom, plus my wife
I’m a war child who represents the struggle
The ones on the corner, all they do is hustle
I’m striving for my GED, so when I come home
I get a nice paying job and live stress free
I’m a war child livin’ out of a cell
A child of God who is stuck in hell
Only time will tell
I hope my options won’t fail

Lead and fire, erupted out of the stainless . . . steel weapon of humane destruction
Lead and fire has left a heart broken; a napkin soaked in; tears of grief
Which pours out of the crease of 2 eye sockets
Then rolls down the cheeks of a grieving soul
onto the surface of a sleeping man child
Who open his eyes, then show his grandma his dimples and gummy smile
Then he fills his lungs up with air, ball up his little hands, kick his legs
then allow the church to become acquainted with his presence

In a setting which is sad, the young lad, who never had
the luxury of knowing his dad – Grew up to be a college grad
Through correspondence – Through the walls of correctional institutions
Un-consciously volunteered in the destruction of his neighborhood
Because he only knew of no better options . . .
Grew up in a culture of crime
Where money is worshiped and tough guys drop dimes
The world tried to rob him out of his prime
But he primed his mind with knowledge
Now he obtain raw power
I believe that the concrete produced a rose
but all you probably see is a flower.

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Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop

Free Minds uses books, creative writing, and peer support to awaken DC youth incarcerated as adults to their own potential. Through creative expression, job readiness training, and violence prevention outreach, these young poets achieve their education and career goals, and become powerful voices for change in the community.

Winner of the 2015 Aspen Ideas Award from the Aspen Institute, the Justice Potter Stewart Award from the Council for Court Excellence, and the Library of Congress Best Practices in Literacy Award.

United Way of the National Capital Area (UWNCA) #9633
Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) # 75998